The 1950s
The 1950s was a decade of dramatic change in many aspects of life. It saw the birth of a new generation, the first men to go into space, the launch of Sputnik, and an intense geopolitical standoff between the US and the Soviet Union. The 1950s also brought about a wave of decolonization in Africa and Asia.
World War II ended, and a post-war boom increased birth rates across the globe. In the United States, for example, birth rates soared to record levels with 4.3 million babies born in this decade, up from 29 million in the previous one.
This was also the decade when polio became a serious public health problem and James Bond's first novel was published. Other major events of the decade included the Korean War, the Cuban Revolution, the birth of the European Economic Community (the common market), and the beginnings of the Space Race.
Fashion
The 1950s marked a new fashion era. It saw women's dresses and coats becoming more feminine and formal. The 1950s also saw a resurgence of fur and hats, and new fabrics like Orlon that were wrinkle resistant.
Jewellery
The overriding jewellery look for the 1950s elegant lady was a string or double string of graduated real pearls designed to fall to the collar-bone. These matched with big, bold pearl button earrings that were suitable for daytime wear.
Eveningwear
In the evening, women wore long, form-fitting dresses and often paired them with heels or thigh-high boots. These dresses were made of silk or satin and embellished with delicate brooches or rhinestones.
Children's Fashion
Kids were also seeing a lot of changes in their clothing choices. Boys were opting for a more casual look that mixed synthetic materials with traditional cotton and wool. Girls were also choosing more colorful clothes, such as plaid and stripes.
Music
The 1950s was a time of great musical innovation. Country music had a huge impact on the country and pop charts, while rock-n-roll began to take off, and classical music continued its development as well.
Jazz, which was already a popular music genre in the 1940s, continued to flourish during this decade as well. Blues music, a form of music that was based on the rhythm and rythms of the blues piano, also saw a revival.
Folk music, which had a strong rural influence, was also thriving in the 1950s. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Bobbie Gentry grew in popularity.
Dance music, such as the swing style of Duke Ellington, was also growing in popularity. This was a period when rock n' roll dominated the charts, but country music had its own place as well, with artists such as Andy Russell and Pat Boone recording a number of songs that reflected their country roots.
The music of the 1950s is still revered by a large audience 60+ years later. Some of the greatest musicians of all time - Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnnie Ray, Nat King Cole - have recorded songs from this era.